Internal Landscaping of the Diplomatic Quarters

Internal Landscaping of the Diplomatic Quarters

A realistic and sustainable design for an arid environment

Project Brief
The Diplomatic Quarter, or the DQ as it is popularly known, is home to foreign embassies and international organizations as well as residential areas and their services. With lush greenery and prime examples of contextual architecture, the area has become Saudi Arabia’s most accomplished work of “green architecture” and a model for other new Islamic communities around the world.

The DQ turned out an outstanding neighborhood. Its character is strongly influenced by elegant landscape design, green roads, and elaborate roundabouts. Pathways, seating areas and picnic places are positioned to take full advantage of views into the Wadi Hanifa, to give sunset views, and to catch cool evening breezes. For sports, there are walkways and jogging paths, bicycle paths, sports center, and sports fields.

The landscaping of the entire project has been planned as a self-sustaining ecological system, using, where appropriate, plant materials to be found in the surrounding desert environment. The Aga Khan Award jury found the landscaping to be “a realistic and imaginative understanding of the natural and spatial organisation in hot and arid regions.”

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